Should Head-Flicking be a worry?

[Aryetheral Waalburgus]

My bantam has been flicking her head a lot lately and also her head is looking a bit pale. Her comb is purple because it's been dyed with gentian violet.

Here's a video of the flicking. Should I be worried?

 

[ChickNanny13]

I wouldn't be too concerned at this point but keep an eye on her. Have you checked her head/ear area if there's anything "tickling" or maybe irritating her?

Love your set up ... Just a suggestion, you may want to turn your roost bar so they rest on the "fat" side. I see why you've go it the way you do, fits perfect between bars. Flat side up, you'd have to measure the length + 4" more ... Make slits at both ends, extending 2" out of enclosure. Flat side up they rest their feet more & less balancing. Just an idea but as my Hubby would say "If it ain't broke, leave it alone"

 

[Aryetheral Waalburgus]

I wouldn't be too concerned at this point but keep an eye on her. Have you checked her head/ear area if there's anything "tickling" or maybe irritating her?

Love your set up ... Just a suggestion, you may want to turn your roost bar so they rest on the "fat" side. I see why you've go it the way you do, fits perfect between bars. Flat side up, you'd have to measure the length + 4" more ... Make slits at both ends, extending 2" out of enclosure. Flat side up they rest their feet more & less balancing. Just an idea but as my Hubby would say "If it ain't broke, leave it alone"

Thank you! Nothing appears to be tickling her, but it could be insects. This set up is actually a temporary isolation crate for treating some mites. Their roosts in the normal coop are 2.5" diameter branches. Thanks for the suggestion though!

 

[Aryetheral Waalburgus]

Does anyone know if this might be indicative of an inner-ear problem? It feels like a strech, but none of my other chickens are doing this.

 

[DellaMyDarling]

I've got a hen doing that too. She does it so hard her comb "snaps".
I've been watching it, not sure what for though so interested to hear other answers.

Did your hen have leg mites? Mine did. I treated flock for them and all seems well in that regard. I read mites can bother their ears too, not sure how one treats that!
She also happens to be my sneezy hen. Will go hours just fine, then sneezes for the next two.

Weird.

 

[Henriettamom919]

I'd give her some nutridrench as a precaution in case she does have something inner ear related going on!

I hope it's nothing and she's just enjoying freaking you out!

 

[Aryetheral Waalburgus]

I've got a hen doing that too. She does it so hard her comb "snaps".
I've been watching it, not sure what for though so interested to hear other answers.

Did your hen have leg mites? Mine did. I treated flock for them and all seems well in that regard. I read mites can bother their ears too, not sure how one treats that!
She also happens to be my sneezy hen. Will go hours just fine, then sneezes for the next two.

Weird.

Yes, I got these four bantams in December and when I got them they had an AWFUL case of scaly leg mites, I treated for a few weeks and it went down, but I got impatient and stopped treatment. I just noticed some gunk on one of their legs, so I decided to do a whole new round of treatment on all of them.

I'd give her some nutridrench as a precaution in case she does have something inner ear related going on!

I hope it's nothing and she's just enjoying freaking you out!

What is nutridrench and where can I buy it?

 

[chkva]

Mine do this when no see ems are bugging them. They don't bite, they're just annoying and usually fly in large groups. They always fly in my eyes, I hate them but nothing really gets rid of them. I want to get one of those tennis rackets that zaps bugs to see if it'll eliminate some of them.

 

[Evelyn Walker]

Yes, I got these four bantams in December and when I got them they had an AWFUL case of scaly leg mites, I treated for a few weeks and it went down, but I got impatient and stopped treatment. I just noticed some gunk on one of their legs, so I decided to do a whole new round of treatment on all of them.

What is nutridrench and where can I buy it?

Nutridrench is just a supplement you can add into water, you should be able to find it at the feed store. I don't really think it's necessary, though.

 

[chkva]

Nutri drench is just a nutrient rich supplement and won't treat anything... it's more for recovery after treatments.